My online notebook of works in progress, my own opinions and sometimes an odd snippet of useful information.

Sunday, 23 May 2010

Take Part In Bike Aid

TAKE PART IN BIKE AID

Halesworth Town Plan Cycling Group have devised the ‘Halesworth Wheel’, a 20 mile cycle route around the town taking in the sights, pubs, historic buildings and so on with a variety of routes to suit every kind of cyclist. They are now producing a printed guide and a website. This will support tourism jobs and promote healthy lifestyles in East Anglia.

To support the Wheel, Halesworth In Transition (HinT) will provide 'cycle aid’ boxes along the route and elsewhere in Suffolk created from recycled unwanted tools to assist passing cyclists with emergency repairs whenever they’re needed.

Every cyclist (and many non-cyclists) has spare tools, pumps and bike bits they never use but can’t throw away "in case it’s useful". Now they can put them to a good use for their community.

On July 10th 2010 from 10 am to 1 pm, bring your unwanted tools and bike bits to Halesworth Thoroughfare for recycling into Cycle Aid boxes. These boxes will be placed in pubs, shops, theatres and other public places that have already joined the scheme in Suffolk.

Research by the RAC found that fear of breakdowns or punctures is a major reason that people don’t take part in recreational cycling or hire bikes on holiday. Research into the barriers for people cycling to work made the same conclusion. The availability of these boxes will overcome that worry. Of course, a serious cyclist might always carry tools but the scheme’s inspiration is the frequent requests for assistance many premises reported. Providing boxes is a simple no-cost way of supporting cycling as a viable transport system and showing that cyclists are welcome wherever there is a sign for a box.

The box locations and cycle shops offering repairs will be put on the Wheel guide and on Google™ maps. Participation in this scheme for hosts and users is entirely free. Maintenance of the scheme is by volunteers. Local tourism and economic development initiatives will publicise the boxes.

Anyone can join the scheme anytime, anywhere. Just provide a box and register the location and display the cycle aid sign supplied. The provision of boxes can take off virally around the country from Halesworth's lead.

Bring any cycling tools, pumps & puncture repair kits you can donate to